The Beyond Books quarterly newsletter is an opportunity to keep elected officials and government sector leaders engaged with the work of Dayton Metro Library. We will update you on projects, activities, past and future programming, and special events that all work to improve Montgomery County through the lens of the Library.

Dayton Metro Library (DML) and the League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Greater Dayton Area have partnered together to bring the key issues of voting and public education to patrons and community members via the way of engaging programs.

Pictured: LWV volunteer Kaylin Ely (left) and DML Children's Librarian at the E.C. Doren Branch

With the March 19 primary election approaching, offering storytimes that encompass the idea of voting is important for two reasons, states the Dayton area’s LWV Executive Director, Christine Corba. “Such programs introduce kids to voting, and it’s also an opportunity to get information about voting out to parents.”



Another program that the LVW will partner with DML on discusses a topic just as important as voting, and that is public education. Public Education Today: Existing Challenges and Opportunities will be held on Thursday, March 21, from 6 - 8:15 pm, in the Main Library's Eichelberger Forum.

Guest panelists will discuss how a sustainable democracy requires the availability of a good public education and include: Dr. John Patterson, Dr. Judy Hennessey, Susan Bodary, City of Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims, and Thomas J. Lasley II, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Montgomery County Educational Service Center.

The Miamisburg Branch has been hosting an All-Abilities Adventure program that began in February and will continue through May. An extremely popular program, All-Abilities is where inclusivity, creativity, and community come together and thrive. It is designed for adults of all abilities to participate in.

Katie Depew, a Miamisburg Branch Information Services Assistant, created and facilitates the program. "There aren’t many inclusive spaces for adults with developmental disabilities," she notes. "I wanted to make a program where adults with developmental disabilities, like my older sister, could come together and make friends, have fun, and learn new things. Echoing DML's slogan 'Free to Belong,' I wholeheartedly believe that All-Abilities Adventure embodies this spirit of inclusivity. ALL abilities are welcome."

All-Abilities offers patrons a variety of activities, including storytimes and craft, sensory, and coloring stations that allow for artistic expression, relaxation, and therapeutic creativity. While each session is led by DML, attending adults are welcome to bring support staff if supervision is needed.

Meet Our Government Relations and Advocacy Director

Austin Railey III received his B.A. in Public Administration from Notre Dame College. In 2020, he graduated from Wright State University with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Having previously worked for Dayton Mayor Mims, his background spans working with several government organizations in Southwest Ohio. Austin's other affiliations include being a board chair for The National Conference for Communities and Justice of Greater Dayton. 

Austin can be contacted at 937.496.8663 or via email at arailey@DaytonMetroLibrary.org.

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Main Library Sunday: 1 - 5pm  |  Branch Libraries Closed Sunday